Dirac matters provide a platform for exploring the interplay of their carriers with other quantum phenomena. Sr$_{1-x}$Mn$_{1-y}$Sb$_2$ has been proposed to be a magnetic Weyl semimetal and provides an excellent platform to study the coupling between Weyl fermions and magnons. Here, we report comprehensive inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements on single crystals of Sr$_{1-x}$Mn$_{1-y}$Sb$_2$, which have been well characterized by magnetization and magnetotransport measurements, both of which demonstrate that the material is a topologically nontrivial semimetal. The INS spectra clearly show a spin gap of $\sim6$ meV. The dispersion in the magnetic Mn layer extends up to about 76 meV, while that between the layers has a narrow band width of 6 meV. We find that the linear spin-wave theory using a Heisenberg spin Hamiltonian can reproduce the experimental spectra with the following parameters: a nearest-neighbor ($SJ_1\sim28.0$ meV) and next-nearest-neighbor in-plane exchange interaction ($SJ_2\sim9.3$ meV) , interlayer exchange coupling ($SJ_c\sim-0.1$ meV), and spin anisotropy constant ($SD\sim-0.07$ meV). Despite the coexistence of Weyl fermions and magnons, we find no clear evidence that the magnetic dynamics are influenced by the Weyl fermions in Sr$_{1-x}$Mn$_{1-y}$Sb$_2$, possibly because that the Weyl fermions and magnons reside in the Sb and Mn layers separately, and the interlayer coupling is weak due to the quasi-two-dimensional nature of the material, as also evident from the small $SJ_c$ of -0.1 meV.
Motivated by the proposal of a Weyl-semimetal phase in pyrochlore iridates, we consider a Hubbard-type model on the pyrochlore lattice. To shed light on the question as to why such a state has not been observed experimentally, its robustness is analyzed. On the one hand, we study the possible phases when the system is doped. Magnetic frustration favors several phases with magnetic and charge order that do not occur at half filling, including additional Weyl-semimetal states close to quarter filling. On the other hand, we search for density waves that break translational symmetry and destroy th…
Weyl semimetals have been classified into type-I and type-II with respect to the geometry of their Fermi surfaces at the Weyl points. Here, we propose a new class of Weyl semimetal, whose unique Fermi surface contains two electron or two hole pockets touching at a multi-Weyl point, dubbed as type-III Weyl semimetal. Based on first-principles calculations, we first show that quasi-one-dimensional compound (TaSe4)2I is a type-III Weyl semimetal with larger chiral charges. (TaSe4)2I can support four-fold helicoidal surface states with remarkably long Fermi arcs on the (001) surface. Angle-resolve…
We introduce a simple model to describe the formation of heavy Weyl semimetals in non-centrosymmetric heavy fermion compounds under the influence of a parity-mixing, onsite hybridization. A key aspect of interaction-driven heavy Weyl semimetals is the development of surface Kondo breakdown, which is expected to give rise to a temperature-dependent re-configuration of the Fermi arcs and the Weyl cyclotron orbits which connect them via the chiral bulk states. Our theory predicts a strong temperature dependent transformation in the quantum oscillations at low temperatures. In addition to the effe…
Adler-Bell-Jackiw chiral anomaly is a representative feature arising from the topological nature in topological semimetal. We report the first experimental observation of giant planar Hall effect in type-II Weyl semimetal WTe2. Our comprehensive analyes of the experimental data demonstrate that the detected planar Hall effect is originated from the chiral anomaly of Weyl fermions. Unlike the somewhat elusive negative magnetoresistance, the planar Hall effect is robust and easy to be detected in type-II Weyl semimetal. This work reveals that the planar Hall effect is an effective transport prob…
The Weyl semimetal requires the breaking of either the time-reversal symmetry (TRS) or the lattice inversion symmetry. When the TRS and inversion symmetry coexist, a pair of degenerate Weyl points may exist, leading to the related Dirac semimetal phase. In other words, a Dirac semimetallic state can be regarded as two copies of Weyl semimetal states. In this dissertation, we study tellurium based compounds like the Weyl semimetal candidate MoTe2 and the Dirac semimetal candidate PtTe2 within the transition metal dichalcogenides family.
Weyl semimetal (WSM) is a newly discovered quantum phase of matter that exhibits topologically protected states characterized by two separated Weyl points with linear dispersion in all directions. Here, via combining theoretical analysis and magneto-infrared spectroscopy of an archetypal Weyl semimetal, niobium phosphide, we demonstrate that the coupling between Weyl points can significantly modify the electronic structure of a WSM and provide a new twist to the protected states. These findings suggest that the coupled Weyl points should be considered as the basis for analysis of realistic WSM…
We report the discovery of a time-reversal symmetric Weyl semimetal obtained by modifying a model Hamiltonian describing the electronic properties of conventional alkali metals. The artificially generated Weyl semimetal features four isolated Weyl nodes in its bulk band structure and displays characteristic surface Fermi arcs arising from topologically protected surface states. The Weyl semimetal occurs as an intermediate state between a conventional band insulator and a three-dimensional topological insulator. The generation of topological Weyl semimetals from conventional metals opens a new …
Recently, the Dirac and Weyl semimetals have attracted extensive attention in condensed matter physics due to both the fundamental interest and the potential application of a new generation of electronic devices. Here we review the exotic electrical transport phenomena in Dirac and Weyl semimetals. Section 1 is a brief introduction to the topological semimetals (TSMs). In Section 2 and Section 3, the intriguing transport phenomena in Dirac semimetals (DSMs) and Weyl semimetals (WSMs) are reviewed, respectively. The most widely studied Cd3As2 and the TaAs family are selected as representatives …
A strongly robust Weyl fermion semimetal state in Ta$_{3}$S$_{2}$
外尔半金属是非常有趣的。虽然最近在TaAs中发现了第一个Weyl半金属,但由于缺乏稳健和理想的候选材料,研究进展仍然受到显着阻碍。为了观察到许多由外尔费米子引起的奇异现象,找到稳健的理想外尔半金属是至关重要的,这些外尔半金属具有较少的外尔节点,更重要的是其外尔节点在动量空间中分离良好,并且在能量上靠近化学势。在本文中,我们提出了迄今为止最强大的和理想的外尔半金属候选人在反转打破,单晶化合物钽硫化物Ta $_3$ S $_2$与新的和新颖的性质超越TaAs。我们发现Ta $_3$ S $_2$只有8个Weyl节点,所有这些节点都具有相同的能量,仅低于化学势10 meV。重要的是,我们的研究结果表明,Ta $_3$ S $_2$在已知的外尔半金属候选物中具有外尔节点之间的最大$k$ -空间分离,其大约是TaAs的两倍,并且是WTe $_2$中的预测值的二十倍。此外,我们预测,增加晶格的$<4\%$可以湮灭所有的Weyl节点,驱动一个新的拓扑金属到绝缘体的转变从Weyl半金属状态到拓扑绝缘体状态。我们进一步发现,改变晶格常数可以移动的Weyl节点和van Hove奇点与增强的状态密度的化学势。我们的预测为这个快速发展的领域提供了一个急需的强大候选人。良好分离的Weyl节点、拓扑金属-绝缘体转变和显著的可调谐性表明Ta $_3$ S $_2$是未来基于Weyl半金属的器件应用的理想平台。
Intuitively, the dispersion characteristics of Weyl nodes with opposite charges in single-pair charge-2 Weyl semimetals are the same, quadratic or linear. We theoretically predicted that single-pair hybrid charge-2 Weyl semimetals (the nodes with opposite charges show quadratic Weyl and linear charge-2 Dirac characteristics, respectively) can be protected by specific nonsymmorphic symmetries in spinless systems. Moreover, the symmetries force the pair of Weyl points locate at the center and corners of the first Brillouin zone (FBZ), respectively. Consequently, nontrivial surface states run thr…
Non-Hermiticity in Weyl Hamiltonian leads to the realization of Weyl exceptional rings and flat bands inside the Weyl exceptional rings. Recently, the platform of non-Hermitian physics is extended to many-body or disordered systems where quasiparticles possess finite lifetime. Here, we clarify that the deviation from unitarity limit in a disordered Weyl semimetal leads to the generation of Weyl exceptional rings regardless of the detail of the scattering potential. In the case of topological Dirac semimetals, hybrid rings and flat bands without vorticity of complex-energy eigenvalues are reali…
Higher-order topology yields intriguing multidimensional topological phenomena, while Weyl semimetals have unconventional properties such as chiral anomaly. However, so far, Weyl physics remain disconnected with higher-order topology. Here, we report the theoretical discovery of higher-order Weyl points and thereby the establishment of such an important connection. We demonstrate that higher-order Weyl points can emerge in chiral materials such as chiral tetragonal crystals as the intermediate phase between the conventional Weyl semimetal and 3D higher-order topological phases. Higher-order We…
Unconventional Weyl semimetals have attracted intensive research interest in condensed matter physics and materials science, but they are very rare in two dimensions. In this work, based on symmetry analysis and the first-principles electronic structure calculations, we predict that the Si/Bi van der Waals heterostructure is a two-dimensional unconventional quadratic double Weyl semimetal with strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Although unprotected by the C3v double group symmetry of the heterostructure, the two-dimensional quadratic double Weyl semimetal is stable for compressive strains up to…
Weyl semimetals are a new member of the topological materials family, featuring a pair of singly degenerate Weyl cones with linear dispersion around the nodes in the bulk, and Fermi arcs on the surface. Depending on whether the system conserves or violates Lorentz symmetry, Weyl semimetals can be categorized into two classes. Photoemission spectroscopy measurements have confirmed the TaAs-class and WTe2-class of Weyl semimetals as type-I and type-II respectively. This review article aims to elucidate and elaborate on the basic concepts of Weyl semimetals and quasiparticle interference experime…
Type-II Weyl semimetals are characterized by the tilted linear dispersion in the low-energy excitations, mimicking Weyl fermions but with manifest violation of the Lorentz invariance, which has intriguing quantum transport properties. The magnetoconductivity of type-II Weyl semimetals is investigated numerically based on lattice models in parallel electric and magnetic field. We show that in the high-field regime, the sign of the magnetoconductivity of an inversion-symmetry-breaking type-II Weyl semimetals depends on the direction of the magnetic field, whereas in the weak field regime, positi…
We propose that the noncentrosymmetric LiGaGe-type hexagonal $ABC$ crystal SrHgPb realizes a new type of topological semimetal that hosts both Dirac and Weyl points in momentum space. The symmetry-protected Dirac points arise due to a band inversion and are located on the sixfold rotation $z$-axis, whereas the six pairs of Weyl points related by sixfold symmetry are located on the perpendicular $k_z=0$ plane. By studying the electronic structure as a function of the buckling of the HgPb layer, which is the origin of inversion symmetry breaking, we establish that the coexistence of Dirac and We…
Discovery of a new type of topological Weyl fermion semimetal state in Mo$_x$W$_{1-x}$Te$_2$
最近在TaAs中发现的Weyl半金属提供了在自然界中观察到的第一个Weyl费米子,并大大拓宽了拓扑相的分类。然而,在钽砷已被证明具有挑战性的研究丰富的输运现象所产生的紧急外尔费米子。系列Mo $_x$ W $_{1-x}$ Te $_2$是反转破坏的,分层的,可调谐的半金属,已经作为一个有前途的新的电子平台进行研究,最近提出主机II型,或强洛伦兹违反,外尔费米子。本文报道了在$x = 25\%$的Mo $_x$ W $_{1-x}$ Te $_2$中发现外尔半金属。我们使用泵浦探测角分辨光电子能谱(泵浦探测ARPES)直接观察到费米能级以上的拓扑费米弧,证明外尔半金属。计算结果与理论值吻合较好,表明Mo $_x$ W $_{1-x}$ Te $_2$是第一个Ⅱ型Weyl半金属.我们还发现,某些外尔点是在费米能级,使Mo $_x$ W $_{1-x}$ Te $_2$外尔半金属的传输和光学实验的一个有前途的平台。
We predict a nonlinear Hall effect in certain Weyl semimetals with broken inversion symmetry. When the energy dispersions about pairs of Weyl nodes are skewed -- the Weyl cones are "tilted" -- the concerted actions of the anomalous velocity and the chiral anomaly give rise to the nonlinear Hall effect. This Hall conductivity is linear in both electric and magnetic fields, and depends critically on the tilting of the Weyl cones. We also show that this effect does not rely on a finite Berry curvature dipole, in contrast to the intrinsic quantum nonlinear Hall effect that was recently observed in…
Weyl semimetals are crystalline solids that host emergent relativistic Weyl fermions and have characteristic surface Fermi-arcs in their electronic structure. Weyl semimetals with broken time reversal symmetry are difficult to identify unambiguously. In this work, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we visualized the electronic structure of the ferromagnetic crystal Co3Sn2S2 and discovered its characteristic surface Fermi-arcs and linear bulk band dispersions across the Weyl points. These results establish Co3Sn2S2 as a magnetic Weyl semimetal that may serve as a platform for real…
Topological semimetal, hosting spin-1 Weyl point beyond Dirac and Weyl points, has attracted a great deal of attention. However, the spin-1 Weyl semimetal, which possesses exclusively the spin-1 Weyl points in a clean frequency window, without shadowed by any other nodal points, is yet to be discovered. Here, we report for the first time a spin-1 Weyl semimetal in a phononic crystal. Its spin-1 Weyl points, touched by two linear dispersions and an additional flat band, carry monopole charges (-2,0,2) or (2,0,-2) for the three bands from bottom to top, and result in double Fermi arcs existing b…
Observation of Weyl and Dirac Fermions in condensed matter systems is one of the most important discoveries. Among the very few available tools to characterize Weyl semimetals through electrical transport, negative magnetoresistance is most commonly used. Considering shortcomings of this method, new tools to characterize chiral anomaly in Weyl semimetals are desirable. We employ planar Hall effect as an effective technique in half Heusler Weyl semimetal GdPtBi to study chiral anomaly. This compound exhibits a large value of 1.5 mohm cm planar Hall resistivity at 2 K and in 9 T. Our analysis re…
We construct a generic two-band model which can describe topological Weyl semimetals with multiple closed Weyl loops. All the existing multi-Weyl-loop semimetals including the nodal-net, or nodal-chain and Hopf-link states can be examined within one same framework. Based on a two-loop model, the corresponding drum-head surface states for these topologically different bulk states are studied and compared with each other. The connection of our model with Hopf insulators is also discussed. Furthermore, to identify experimentally these topologically different Weyl semimetal states, especially dist…
We present systematic theoretical studies of both bulk and surface electromagnetic eigenmodes, or polaritons, in Weyl semimetals. We derive the tensors of bulk and surface conductivity taking into account all possible combinations of the optical transitions involving bulk and surface electron states. We show how information about electronic structure of Weyl semimetals, such as position and separation of Weyl nodes, Fermi energy, and Fermi arc surface states, can be unambiguously extracted from measurements of the dispersion, transmission, reflection, and polarization of electromagnetic waves.
Weyl semimetals are extraordinary systems where exotic phenomena such as Fermi arcs, pseudo-gauge fields and quantum anomalies arise from topological band degeneracy in crystalline solids for electrons and metamaterials for photons and phonons. On the other hand, higher-order topological insulators unveil intriguing multidimensional topological physics beyond the conventional bulk-edge correspondences. However, it is unclear whether higher-order topology can emerge in Weyl semimetals. Here, we report the experimental discovery of higher-order Weyl semimetals in its phononic analog which exhibi…
Weyl semimetals are materials with topologically nontrivial band structure both in the bulk and on the surface, hosting chiral nodes which are sinks and sources of Berry curvature. Weyl semimetals have been predicted, and recently measured, to exhibit large nonlinear optical responses. This discovery, along with their high mobilities, makes Weyl semimetals relevant to a broad spectrum of applications in optoelectronic, nanophotonic and quantum optical devices. While there is growing interest in understanding and characterizing the linear and nonlinear behavior of Weyl semimetals, an ab initio …